CROSS RIVER STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
The People’s Paradise
Overall pSPI Rank:
15th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Very Good 3-Star Performer)
People & Culture
A Hub for Tourism, Culture, and Natural Beauty
Cross River, known as “The People’s Paradise,” boasts a rich cultural heritage shaped by the Efik, Ejagham, Bekwarra, and Obudu ethnic groups. The state is renowned for the Calabar Carnival, often called “Africa’s Biggest Street Party,” which draws global attention.
Traditional festivals such as the Ekpe Festival, Nkim Cult Festivities, and Ngadi Festival further highlight its vibrant cultural identity. Calabar’s culinary scene is equally notable, featuring signature dishes like Afang Soup, Edikang Ikong, and Fisherman Soup. With a population of about 5 million spread across 18 Local Government areas and a land area of 20,156 sq. km, Cross River thrives on tourism.
Politics
The Land of Political Surprises
Cross River was once a PDP stronghold, but in 2021, Governor Ben Ayade defected to APC, marking a major political shift. The 2023 elections reinforced this new reality when Bassey Otu of APC won the governorship, ensuring PDP’s ouster after two decades of dominance.
The state has long been known for progressive governance and tourism-driven policies, but the recent transition to APC introduces new ideological shifts. While PDP still holds significant influence, Cross River is now a political battleground where no party can claim absolute dominance.
The state’s next elections will determine whether APC can establish a new long-term stronghold, or if PDP will stage a comeback—a scenario that remains entirely possible given Cross River’s history of political fluidity.
Economy - Tourism and Agriculture Drive
Cross River has a diverse economy driven by key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, trade, and services. The state is a major producer of cash crops like cocoa, oil palm, and rubber, while its tourism industry benefits from attractions such as the Obudu Mountain Resort, Tinapa Resort and the annual Calabar Carnival. Trade and services thrive, particularly in Calabar, which serves as a commercial hub.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦6,329 |  12th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦1.5 million | 18th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 19% | 12th |
| IGR to FAAC | 33% | 21st |
| Assets Per Capita | ₦37,111 | 15th |
| Debt Per Capita | ₦62,815 | 34th |
| Capital Expenditure Per Capita | 4.99 | 33rd |
What this means:
Cross River ranks moderately in revenue generation (12th in IGR per capita) and infrastructure spending (15th in capital expenditure per capita). However, a high debt burden (34th in debt per capita) and an unfavourable business environment (33rd in ease of doing business) hinder economic growth.
pSPI Performance - Strong Mid-Table Performer
Strengths
Strong IGR Performance: 12th in IGR Per Capita.
Rich Tourism Industry: Home to Nigeria’s biggest cultural festival.
High Public Teacher Ratio: 6th in Public Teachers Per Population.
Weaknesses
Low Business Friendliness: Ranked 33rd in Ease of Doing Business..
Limited Public Infrastructure: Ranked 34th in Debt Per Capita.
Service Delivery Deficit: Ranked 15th in Capital Expenditure Per Capita.
Citizen Satisfaction - The Public Verdict
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 24th | 38% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 17th | 25% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 6th | 54% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 3rd | 50% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 17th | 50% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 13th | 33% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 15th | 33% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 34th | 8% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programs | 15th | 38% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 16th | 21% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 10th | 46% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 4th | 46% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 3rd | 63% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 14th | 42% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 33rd | 17% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 18th | 25% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
FCT Abuja
Better infrastructure & economic opportunities
Cross River State
Strong cultural ties and tourism appeal
Akwa Ibom State
Similar culture, better business prospects
Lagos State
Economic opportunities
Kano State
Stronger economy and new opportunities
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Borno State
Insecurity (Boko Haram insurgency)
Zamfara State
Banditry and economic instability
Kaduna State
Ethnic and religious tensions
Lagos State
Overpopulation and cultural difference
Benue State
Ethnic and religious
differences
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
The government is partly invisible at the local government level
of residents
cannot name their
local chairman
unaware of any
ongoing LGA
project
unaware of
socioeconomic
programmes by their LG
This highlights a significant gap in governance communication and engagement.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Calabar Municipal (23%), Calabar South (19%), Odukpani (12%), Yala (12%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
78 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Employment and Livelihoods: Citizens advocated for the creation of employment opportunities for youths and women through empowerment programmes, training, and startup capital for small businesses.
- Quality Education and Access to Health Services: Residents requested better equipped schools and hospitals, timely teacher deployment, free education policies, and expansion of rural healthcare services.
- Infrastructure and Public Utilities:
Citizens emphasised the need for urgent rehabilitation of major roads and extension of utilities, especially road networks, electricity, and clean water to interior communities.
- Tourism and Environmental Sustainability: Respondents urged the government to revive & promote tourism assets while also protecting forests, wildlife reserves, and addressing environmental degradation due to deforestation and erosion.
- Good Governance and Civic Inclusion: Many citizens called for greater openness in governance, timely dissemination of policy information, and stronger involvement of grassroots communities in planning and decision-making.
pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan for Cross River
Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Cross River urgently needs to:
- Improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Efficiency: Despite potential in tourism, agriculture, and services, Cross River’s IGR per capita remains modest. The state should modernise revenue collection systems, digitise land and business registrations, and harness its tourism and hospitality potential to increase non-oil revenue.
- Strengthen Health and Education Systems: Cross River’s ranking in public health workers and basic education infrastructure indicates room for significant improvement. More investments are needed to upgrade primary health centres, train and recruit qualified staff, and ensure adequate teaching facilities across LGAs.
- Prioritise Inclusive Infrastructure Development: Increased attention is needed in rural road networks, water supply systems, and transport safety. Capital expenditure should be channelled into expanding infrastructure that connects underserved areas to economic centres.
- Deepen Transparency and Local Government Accountability: With low awareness among citizens about local government projects and programmes, there’s a need for improved communication and transparency at the LGA level. Budget disclosures, citizen town halls, and digital engagement platforms should be institutionalised.
- Promote Youth Employment and Enterprise Support:To address unemployment, especially among youth, the state should scale up entrepreneurship support schemes, skill acquisition programmes, and public works opportunities, particularly in agriculture, creative arts, and ecotourism sectors.
Cross River State 2025
rich in culture, strong in knowledge, but facing economic vulnerability and service delivery gaps. Its next chapter depends on how quickly it can translate community wisdom into modern governance, sustainable development, and prosperity for all.
Investment
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